Penguins Can't Fly: +39 Other Rules That Don't Exist

by Jason W. Kotecki

Life is supposed to be fun. We knew this instinctively as kids, but somehow forgot on the way to adulthood. We got busy and overwhelmed, started valuing things that don't matter, and learned to follow the rules that don't even

hate mondays
only celebrate when the calendar gives you permission
don't make a mess
don't play hooky
hide your weirdness
hide your wrinkles
care what other people think

Following these so-called rules is a terrific way to stress you out, sap your energy, and ensure a boring life. But there's a better way. In his enlightening book, author and artist Jason Kotecki uncovers some of the most useless rules so you can shift perspective and start seeing the world with wonder once again.

It's time to stop living by someone else's rules. Your life is a story, and a short one at that. Make it a good one.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

240 pages, Hardcover

First published June 23, 2015

About the author

Jason Kotecki is an artist, speaker and author of several books, including his latest, "A Chance of Awesome: How Changing the Way You See Changes Everything."

Besides making art that inspires and delights people all over the world, Jason is in high demand as an engaging professional speaker. He empowers organizations and individuals to restore balance, prevent burnout, and achieve new levels of productivity and innovation with real-world strategies that tap into the timeless wisdom of childhood.

Jason and his wife, Kim (a former kindergarten teacher), are the dynamic duo behind Escape Adulthood and founders of the Cure Adultitis Institute. In their crusade to annihilate Adultitis, they inspire and encourage people to design lives with less stress and more fun.

Jason is a Batman fan, Star Wars watcher, retro t-shirt wearer, avid eater of sugar-laden cereal, and father of three kids. He lives with his family in picturesque Madison, Wisconsin, where they enjoy long walks by the lake and eat way too many cheese curds.

Learn more at EscapeAdulthood.com

Reviews

[Faeze Zolfaghar · Rating 5 out of 5]

تبعیت از قوانین, روشی عالی برای سر جای خود بودن و اجتناب از مؤاخذه و تمسخر يا تحقير شدن است.
اما راهى مؤثر براى زيستن يك زندگی حیرت انگیز نیست.

[Tommy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I was a Goodreads winner! Thank you so much to Goodreads, St. Martin's Press, and the talented author for this gift.

Charming, whimsical look at everyday, unwritten, ADULT rules. This compact, hardcover book is tremendously funny and full of amazing, humorous art and photography. The similarities (coincidences?) struck me right away. I also have a 4 year old daughter named Lucy. The day before I received the book, she ate her Entenmann's chocolate doughnut exactly as it appears on page 9, and it seems she has a "bonk your head" quota of at least 1 per day. It filled me with nostalgic joy. I went to catholic school and did what I was told. It wasn't until college that I learned to break some of these rules. My favorite personal rule to break: Cereal is only for breakfast - #notarule . Anytime is a good time for a big ol' bowl of cereal. Am I right?

[Joanna Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very timely read for me to remind myself that i should live my life :)

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book. As the author himself states--he's not telling you how to live your life, but to look at it and determine what "rules" are you living by that truly are unnecessary and take the joy out of life.

I love his illustrations and his "permission" to break the rules. Good ideas to live life fuller and with more joy and fun.

[♡ Kim ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book!

[Trent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pure joy. See life with fresh eyes and don't be afraid to be yourself - doing things that bring you joy.
I've been following Jason's material for about a decade and still love the way he helps me see the world.

[Belinda Brasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason Kotecki has filled this little book with examples of unexamined rules by which people live their lives. He provides super-simple steps that anyone can take to be more deliberate in their choices and more free to live the life they desire.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thought I had when I started reading this book was-I think I have seen this guy speak before (I have). The second thought, ...these first two rules have a lot of pages, I'll just skip to the back and skip around. I ended up reading the book backwards (rule 39-1), over half way through, I realized that I was "breaking" a rule! Since I have heard Jason speak, there wasn't too much in the book that was new to me, but the book caught me at a good time to stop and think about what is going around me and why and does it have to be that way.

[Shelley Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book that takes the reader by surprise. Within the first few pages of this small book - you begin to wonder about the practices and RULES you have imposed on your own life. In addition to being a great author, Jason Kotecki is a great public speaker. I encourage you to consider him as a speaker for your next professional development activity. Jason's book is a great read and wonderful gift!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Won this book through a GoodReads giveaway. What a good surprise! Very funny to read! This book brought me back to the days where my mom was telling me "do this! don't do that!"
#17 "Thou shalt always wear clean underpants upon leaving thy house" In case we get into an accident. Naturally. My favorite!! I don't know how many times I've heard this one during my childhood, hilarious!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice gift book for college grads especially. Good reminders about living life to the fullest and making mindful choices. Don't play by rules that don't exist--there are plenty that do!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am giving this book 4 stars because of the subject matter. I loved the premise that we need to have fun in life. We need to throw out the window all the silly rules that we start to believe as we get older. My favorite line from the book is: Make the choice you'll wish you made on your life's last day. As someone that struggles daily with wanted desperately to live life to it's fullest and yet maintain my sanity this book is a great starting point. So when you see me driving and dancing don't be surprised.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, quick read (maybe 2 hours or so) that gets you to look at why you feel you HAVE to do things a certain way. These "rules that don't exist" tend to get us stuck in a rut and prevent us from living creatively and joyously. The book is packed with very quotable snippets that you'll find yourself jotting onto Post-its for the office wall. The colorful and witty illustrations are a plus.

[Steven Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

About as simple and quick a read as you'll find, but with a central message that's far more powerful than the image of the book conveys. The "rules" are, in fact, societal norms that focus on conformity at the cost of individuality. The emphasis of the book is being who you really are, your genuine self. Sort of a "let your freak flag fly" for a new generation.

In other words, be you. Color outside the lines. Wear white after Easter. Eat breakfast for dinner. Live a little.

[Michele Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is adorable and very short. My favorite rule is number six, "Thou shalt not have fun at work." I love my job and break this rule every single day. Thank you to the fun co-worker (team mate) who loaned me this book.

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's funny how many rules we follow without questioning, why?

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an advanced free copy I received at a seminar. Cute book that does make you smile . Overall it was fine. Nothing bad, nothing extraordinary.

[Florent Diverchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and quickly read, yet deeply motivational book.
I directly identified a few non-existing rules in my life and was motivated to act on them directly!
Tis reading was no wasted time!

[Coreena McBurnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun. An easy to read and beautifully illustrated little book. Would make a great inspirational gift. It's also a good one to have around and flip through when you need a little boost.

[Cheryl Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick read about not letting ourselves adhere to societal rules that keep us from enjoying our lives to the fullest.

[Link · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book to read for artists

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a chapter each evening with my two children (9 and 11). We ate this book up. Although some chapters applied more to adults, the loved each one. I seriously hope this book has opened their eyes to why they do the things they do and to realize that they can be what they want to be and don't have to do things just because everyone has always done them. Think about it. Why do we follow dumb rules? Society says we should. That's a dumb reason and I reject it!

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple guide that reminds us to live life with authenticity rather than "by the book." A good reminder for a rule-follower like myself that you don't have to (and shouldn't) follow rules that have been created out of worrying about what others will think. A very refreshing, quick read!

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be an eternal favorite -- now to put its wisdom into practice. I love this so much that I bought a case of them and gave them as Christmas presents.

[Jeremy Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's #NotARule

[Justin Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the shot to soul that I needed.

[Michell Karnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic!! This book is uplifting and fun, reminding us that life is to be lived, cherished and most importantly enjoyed. The message is great as well as having fun illustrations accompanying the text. I would love to sit in on one of the author's speaking engagements, I bet he would be terrific.